Manipulated Vunerability ~ HSMTMTS AU

Chapter 12

Ashlyn bounced up and down nervously. She stood in the hallway, waiting for the cast list to be posted. Auditions had flown by in a blur. Ashlyn, Gina, and Lily (along with others they didn't know) had all auditioned for the lead.

She looked around. Gina, EJ, Carlos, and Seb were conversing, Gina and Seb nervous as they were the only ones in the small group who had auditioned. Nini and Kourtney were standing together, hands clutched together, hopeful. Ricky and Lily were the two people Ashlyn skipped looking at for more than one second. Big Red was no where to be found. She frowned, making sure she wasn't simply missing him. She had to conclude he wasn't in the hallway, probably busy. She leaned against the wall for minutes, hoping for the cast list to come out soon. She closed her eyes.

She was startled when she felt her waist being held, but before she could even open her eyes she recognized the feeling. "Oh, hey." She allowed herself to melt into her boyfriend's hold, no longer bothering to open her eyes.

"Hey." Big Red replied softly. "Don't worry."

"I'm not that nervous..."

"You are. That's fine. But... it'll work out." He gave her cheek a light kiss.

"I know." She opened her eyes, turning to look at him. "What's taking so long?"

"Babe, it's been like... minutes."

"I know that, but it's normally so quick with Miss Jenn." She shrugged. "It's just that I'm impatient."

"I know." He gave her a tight hug. "Just wait for a little." The boy hadn't auditioned, which had temporarily disappointed his girlfriend. She understood, though, as his senior year was busy and a show in itself felt like a job.

"Where were you a minute ago?" She asked curiously.

"Talking to Mr. Mazzara."

"Why?" She furrowed her eyebrows.

"Because I know I didn't get to last semester, but I wanted to join the robotics club." He revealed with a small shrug.

"Really?" Her face lit up and she gave him a tight hug. "Oh, this is so great!"

"Yeah, and he was with Miss Jenn so... you know, he was still here."

"It took them long enough to get together." She joked.

"Yeah, I—"

"Cast list!" Students exclaims were heard.

"Oh, oh no—"

"Go, read." He urged her foreword.

"Yeah..." she took a deep breath, grabbing his hand and bringing them both to the paper pinned on the wall. She searched for her name, which was extremely easy. "Again?" She turned to her boyfriend. "I got the lead again?"

"Ash!" He squeezed her. "I'm so happy for you!"

"I can't believe it." She breathed.

"I can." He kissed her. She beamed, holding his hand tightly.

"Great job Ash." Gina offered her a smile.

"Thanks! Your audition was so great, I'm honestly surprised you didn't get the part!" She exclaimed, trying to cheer Gina up. She knew how much she had wished for the lead, and she knew nothing could come between them but didn't want even the smallest argument.

"Thanks." Gina wandered off the other friends.

"Congrats." Lily told Ashlyn.

"Oh, uh... yeah, thanks. Sorry you didn't get it."

"Me too." Lily said, leaving without another word.

"That... could have been worse." Ashlyn said to her boyfriend.

"I guess." He shrugged. "I'm gonna go see what everyone else got."

"Mkay." She smiled at him. She noticed Lila, who she quickly made her way too.

"Ash, congrats!" In the small amount of time since they met, the two had grown close.

"Thanks! And I know you didn't audition or anything, but I'm just so glad you joined." Ashlyn said. "I mean, tech is so important. You couldn't even hear the show otherwise."

"Yeah, this all seems really fun. And Rose already swore she'd buy tickets." Lila added.

"Maybe you can sweep her off her feet with your tech skills." Ashlyn joked.

"I think I'll just have to stick with moving on." Lila partially joked.

"What can I say, sometimes it works." Ashlyn looked over at her boyfriend. Sure, it hadn't won her over, but she swooned when he revealed how much he had enjoyed watching her performances as he shined the spotlight on her.

"Somebody's head over heels."

"Sorry." Ashlyn turned back to her.

"Don't be." Lila shrugged. "But again, congrats. It sounds like you'll have a great time, and I saw Beauty and the Beast last semester."

"Oh, really?"

"Yeah, you were great!"

"Thanks." Ashlyn laughed lightly. "Anyways, I gotta head home. I'll see you tomorrow." She waved.

"Bye." Lila smiled.

"Hey, you ready?" Big Red put his arm around Ashlyn when she made it to him.

"Yeah." She nodded. "Let's head out."